Title: An act relating to defining veteran for certain purposes.

Brief Description: Defining veteran for certain purposes.

Sponsors: Representatives Haigh, Eickmeyer, Wallace, P. Sullivan, Morrell, Sells, Miloscia, Takko, Ormsby, McCoy, Conway, McDermott and Chase.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/28/05, 95-0.

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 3/22/05, 3/30/05 [DPA, w/oRec].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Berkey, Vice Chair; Benton, Fairley, Haugen, Kline and Pridemore.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senator McCaslin.

Staff: Cindy Fazio (786-7405)

Background: There are two main definitions of "veteran." One definition, which contains mostly wartime veterans, governs eligibility for programs like pensions and retirement benefits.
The other definition is broader and includes a person honorably discharged, or discharged for medical reasons with an honorable record, who has served in at least one of the following capacities:

• any branch of the armed forces of the United States as long as the initial military service obligation is fulfilled;
• the women's air forces service pilots;
• the armed forces reserves, national guard, or coast guard, and has been called into federal service for at least 180 days;
• a civil service crew member with service aboard a U.S. Army Transport Service or a U.S. Naval Transportation Service vessel in oceangoing service from December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946; or
• the Philippine armed forces/scouts during the period of armed conflict from December 7, 1941, through August 15, 1945.

Summary of Amended Bill:

The definition of veteran is expanded to include a United States documented merchant mariner with service aboard an oceangoing vessel operated by the Department of Defense, or its agents, from both June 25, 1950, through July 27, 1953, in Korean territorial waters and from August 5, 1964 through May 7, 1975, in Vietnamese territorial waters, and received a military commendation.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill: The definition under (6) now requires a individual to have served during the specified time frames in both Korean and Vietnam territorial waters, and to have received a military commendation.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: None.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: No one.